Abortion bill delayed as Alabama Senate falls into chaos

The Alabama Senate fell into chaos Thursday after the lieutenant governor removed from consideration two amendments that created rape and incest exceptions in a bill that would create a near-total ban on abortion.

The move by Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth led to anger from Senate Democrats, who demanded a vote on whether to keep the amendments in, and ultimately led to a delay in the bill itself.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, a Republican from Decatur, would ban abortion in nearly all cases except when a woman's life is in danger. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved amendments that would include exceptions for rape and incest – exceptions that Collins rejected during the House debate. The full Senate must approve amendments to include them in a bill.